Family In:sight into Rutland Caravan and Camping affiliated site

The Meek Family

The Rutland Caravan and Camping site (affiliated) is a large, spacious site catering for caravans, motorhomes, tents and now newly built wooden lodges.   Half of the site is restricted to adults only but the other half welcomes families and children, with a large central green and popular adventure playground. The site's latest attraction is an indoor swimming pool, which only recently opened to the public. Swimming classes take place in the pool but it can be hired on an hourly rate.

 

The Rutland Caravan and Camping site is actually located in the village of Greetham, six miles from Oakham and Rutland reservoir - both of which a short drive away. Greetham village is easily accessible via a path leading from the site. There you can find a selection of pubs but no shop. The site reception offers a range of handy items, some of which need to be ordered the day before.

 

Rutland may be England's smallest county but there's plenty to do during your stay!

 

Places to go / things to do:

 

Rutland Reservoir

This reservoir is a popular attraction throughout the year. There are a selection of car parks with cafes dotted around the reservoir. One of the largest, Whitwell, has a sailing centre where you can hire equipment and take courses. There is also a cycle hire centre offering a range of bikes to hire should you wish to cycle the perimeter or part of the path that hugs the reservoir. A less energetic option, could be to hop on the Rutland Belle ferry, which leaves from Whitwell; you can then hop on and off at various points.

The reservoir is a haven for wildlife; large areas are designated as nature reserves offering information points and bird hides. Anglian Water nature reserve at Egleton is brilliant and well worth a visit.

 

Rutland County museum

If you want to find out some local history, then head into Oakham and find the local museum, free to enter. Display cabinets show artefacts from different periods and information boards provide details about how Rutland has changed over the years. You can also read about how the landscape was transformed in the 1970s, flooding land for the reservoir - a controversial decision at the time. 

 

National Trust visit

Woolsthorpe Manor, a National Trust property, is highly recommended - a small gem in the countryside. It is only a 15 minutes drive from the Caravan club site and provides a substantial and educational day out. 

Woolsthorpe Manor is the birth place and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. Although born into a farming family, he was interested in science from an early age. He returned to Woolsthorpe Manor after graduating from Cambridge University the year it closed due to the plague. It was here that he made some of his most important discoveries about gravity and light.

A visit to Woolsthorpe provides a wealth of history and science. Go to the Manor House to learn about Isaac Newton's life. The building has been furnished to recreate what it would have looked like during his lifetime. Outside the house, in the garden, is THE apple tree, which he gazed at from his bedroom window. Finally, explore the Science Discovery centre, to find out and get hands on experience of Newton's scientific discoveries.

Although this National Trust property is quite contained within a small area is offers a fantastic day out. The volunteers at the site are amazing; they willingly share their knowledge and always keen to answer questions.